It was the first chance fans have had to meet England Under-21 midfielder Maddison, who has been signed from Norwich City.

They were also able to get their hands on the new kit for next season.

Leicester City Football Club opening of refurbished fanstore. Alan Birchenall, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha and Hamza Choudhury PICTURE COPYRIGHT MATT SHORT / MATT SHORT PHOTOGRAPHY - NO SYNDICATION WITHOUT PERMISSION (Image: 2018 Matt Short Photography)

Maddison, 21, met fans and posed for photos after chatting on an outdoor stage with 20-year-old Choudhury, the player of the year in City's Under-23 team who has just broken into the first team.

Some 300 fans queued patiently in the heat to watch Choudhury, Leicester City vice chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha and club ambassador Alan Birchenall cut the blue ribbon to open the new fanstore at 11am.

Julie Boyall, from Braunstone, arrived at 9am to claim her place at the front of the queue.

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She said: “I'm here to buy my son Luke a home and away shirt as a present as it's his 28th birthday today.

“The shirts look good. The shop looks amazing.”

Season ticket holder Shaun Burford, from Blaby, was second in line to get into the refurbished store.

He said: “I’m getting a new City home shirt today.

“I can’t wait to see James Maddison play for us. He looks good. The future looks bright.”

Leicester City Football Club opening of refurbished fanstore. PICTURE COPYRIGHT MATT SHORT / MATT SHORT PHOTOGRAPHY - NO SYNDICATION WITHOUT PERMISSION (Image: 2018 Matt Short Photography)

Fan Andrew Wileman, from Barwell, was shopping with his three-year-old son, Finley.

He said: “I've bought myself a new home shirt and one for my son.

“I really like the new shirt. I think Finley likes it too.”

City legends Steve Walsh, Gerry Taggart and Matt Elliott mingled with the fans inside the new shop.

All three former players and the club’s vice chairman posed with fans for photographs.

Walsh said: “This store is brilliant and so are the fans.

Leicester City Football Club opening of refurbished fanstore. Jit Tailor and Mayan Tailor (16) PICTURE COPYRIGHT MATT SHORT / MATT SHORT PHOTOGRAPHY - NO SYNDICATION WITHOUT PERMISSION (Image: 2018 Matt Short Photography)

“It’s great to be in here feeling the excitement and anticipation for the new season.”

The Birch said: “The shop is incredible.

“I can remember when we had a little corner shop at Filbert Street which sold half a dozen shirts. This, like the whole club now, is on a totally new level.”

Leicester City Football Club opening of refurbished fanstore. New players on stage: James Maddison (left) and Hamza Choudhury PICTURE COPYRIGHT MATT SHORT / MATT SHORT PHOTOGRAPHY - NO SYNDICATION WITHOUT PERMISSION (Image: 2018 Matt Short Photography)

Outside the shop, fans were entertained by live music on a stage, a bungee trampoline, mini football courts and a game of football darts played on a giant board.